As their 15-minute time limit to make the No. 6 overall pick ran out Saturday, the Cowboys completed a trade with Kansas City.

Dallas went down just two spots, picking Williams eighth overall and also getting Chiefs' third-round pick (75th overall) and a sixth-round pick next year.

"It was beautiful the way it worked," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "Roy Williams was somebody we coveted. He's a player that will allow us to be better next year, but is a foundation for the future. That's a rare opportunity, one that we haven't had in a long time."

After consecutive 5-11 seasons, the Cowboys picked in the top 10 for only the second time since getting defensive tackle Russell Maryland with the first overall choice in 1991. Dallas also had the eighth overall pick in 1998, when defensive end Greg Ellis was chosen.

Dallas didn't have first-round picks the last two years, having traded those to Seattle for receiver Joey Galloway in February 2000.

With their second-round pick, the 37th overall, the Cowboys took 6-foot-4, 316-pound guard Andre Gurode from Colorado.

The Cowboys had two picks remaining Saturday night, their original third-round pick, 72nd overall, and the one they got from Kansas City.

Williams, who had publicly expressed his desire to play in Dallas, was watching the draft with his family on the Oklahoma campus. He didn't know what was happening when the clock ran out on the Cowboys.

"I'm thankful they made me the No. 8 pick, even though they almost gave me a heart attack when nobody was on the stage when the 15 minutes ran out," Williams said. "I had my goal settled on being a Cowboy. My body just froze."

Jones called a few minutes later, and Williams was soon on the owner's private jet for his first appearance at the team's Valley Ranch facility.

Williams bypassed his senior year at Oklahoma, where he won the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation's top defensive player and Thorpe Award for top defensive back. He had 101 tackles and five interceptions for the Sooners last season.

"Roy Williams is an impact-type of player, a guy that makes plays," said Cowboys coach Dave Campo. "You can make a highlight tape of Roy by putting any tape on. He's a highlight in himself."

Williams is expected to start immediately, alongside five-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Woodson, the 10-year veteran signed to a contract extension last month.

"To have Darren Woodson as a mentor, I feel he will help me elevate my game," Williams said. "I'm a team player, can tackle in the open field and I'm a quick learner. I like to hit, I'm physical and like to be in the mix."

Jones was able to put some drama in his pick, even though a player the Cowboys wanted was available when it was their turn to pick. As time to pick was running out, Jones was on the phone with both Kansas City and Jacksonville, completing the trade with the Chiefs at the last second.

"The longer you wait, the more you keep your options open. We were going to leave it out there as long as we could," Jones said. "We were pleased to have the sixth pick for Roy Williams. At the same time, we could maximize our draft."

Kansas City wanted to move up to pick North Carolina defensive tackle Ryan Sims, the same player that Minnesota had wanted with its seventh overall pick. The Chiefs got Sims and the Vikings took All-American tackle Bryant McKinnie from Miami, leaving Williams for the Cowboys.

Dallas had also targeted Texas cornerback Quentin Jammer, but he was picked fifth overall by San Diego, and the Cowboys didn't have to choose between the two Big 12 defenders.

"We drafted our board," Jones insisted, refusing to speculate what the Cowboys would have done had both Jammer and Williams been available.

Gurode, who was unexpectedly available, will come to Dallas as a guard. But he also played center at Colorado and could replace five-time Pro Bowler Mark Stepnoski, the 13-year veteran cut last month.

"We feel like he is ready to come and compete right away," Campo said. "We were looking for work-ethic mentality, and he's got it."

Gurode, who is from Houston, had hoped to get drafted by the expansion Texans. But he was happy to stay in Texas and get the opportunity to block for Emmitt Smith, the NFL's second-leading career rusher.

"I like to get down and dirty in the trenches," Gurode said. "When a run is called, my eyes light up. I want to hit somebody."